War Nickel Value: Which 1942 to 1945 Nickels Are Silver
Jefferson nickels with a large P, D or S above Monticello on the back are wartime nickels made of 35% silver. Each holds 0.0563 oz of silver, about $3.32 at today's price, and worn ones retail around $4 to $6. The 1943/2-P overdate is the big find, from about $27 worn to $793 in gem condition.
- Composition
- 56% copper, 35% silver, 9% manganese. 0.0563 oz of pure silver.
- Dates
- Mid 1942 through 1945. Eleven regular issues: 1942-P, 1942-S, and P, D and S for 1943, 1944 and 1945.
- Mint mark
- Large letter above the dome of Monticello on the back. This was the first time a P was used.
Melt value: $3.32. Based on 0.05626 oz of silver at $59.00 per ounce on Oct 8, 2026. Melt value moves with the silver price every day.
Value by grade
| Coin | G4 | VF20 | AU50 | MS60 | MS65 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1942-P silver | $3.77 | $6.15 | $7.49 | $11.17 | $27 |
| 1943-P | $4.09 | $5.89 | $7.49 | $9.82 | $27 |
| 1943/2-P overdate | $27 | $63 | $209 | $347 | $793 |
| 1945-P doubled die reverse | $15 | $27 | $59 | $105 | $500 |
| 1944-P, D, S | $3.77 | $5.89 | $7.49 to $8.16 | $9.82 to $11.17 | $29 to $40 |
Retail values from USA Coin Book. Values checked Oct 8, 2026.
What to look for
- Flip it over. A big P, D or S above the dome means silver. A small mint mark beside Monticello means a regular nickel.
- Some 1942 nickels are the regular copper-nickel alloy. A 1942 with no mint mark or a small D beside the building is not silver.
- Wartime nickels often tone darker and grayer than regular nickels.
- On 1943-P coins, look at the 3 with a loupe for traces of a 2 underneath. That is the overdate.
Fakes and lookalikes
- Contemporary counterfeit 1944 nickels with no mint mark exist. Every real 1944 nickel has a large mint mark over the dome.
Find the keepers in your coin jar
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FAQ
How much silver is in a war nickel?
0.0563 oz, worth about $3.32 at $59.00 an ounce on Oct 8, 2026.
Why are some 1942 nickels not silver?
The switch to the silver alloy happened partway through 1942. Early 1942 and 1942-D nickels are regular copper-nickel.
Are war nickels rare?
No. Hundreds of millions were made. They are worth more than face because of the silver, not because they are scarce.
What is the most valuable war nickel?
Among ones you might find, the 1943/2-P overdate. In top grades with full steps on Monticello, any date can bring a premium.
Related coins
Sources
- USA Coin Book, Jefferson nickel values
- CoinWeek, how to identify war nickels
- PCGS, collecting Jefferson wartime nickels
- PCGS CoinFacts, 1943/2-P 5C
- Yahoo Finance, silver price Oct 8, 2026 (silver price for melt value)
- Fortune, silver price Oct 8, 2026 (silver price for melt value)
Values are retail estimates or recorded sale prices from the sources above, checked Oct 8, 2026. What a dealer pays you is usually less than retail. Silver spot traded between about $58.70 and $60.40 on Oct 8, 2026. We use $59.00 an ounce for melt math.
Also available as Markdown.